Conveyer.



No. 783,771. PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905. G. H. ANDERSON.

OONVEYER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 21. 1904.

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C7.v H. ANDERSON.

OONVEYER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 21. 1904.

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No. 788,771. PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905.

G. H. ANDERSON.

CONVBYER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 21. 1904.

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.52 Van/50 7" flrwansora PATENTED FEB. 28. 1905.

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0. H. ANDERSON. GON'VBYEH.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 21. 1904.

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0. H. ANDERSON.

CONVEYER.

APPLIOATION 211.21) 31111.21. 1904.

PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905. V o. H. ANDERSON. GONVEYER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 21. 1904.

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P y WW MAW w Q Q Q Q No. 783,771. PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905.

- G. H. ANDERSON.

GONVEYER.

APPLIUATION FILED JAN. 21. 1904.

B SHEETS-SHEET 7.

PATBNTED 28, 1905.

C. H. ANDERSON.

GONVEYBR.

APPLIOATION FILED M11221. 1904-.

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mam "I? lJniTn STATES Patented February 528, 1905.

PATENT @QNVEYEH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 783,771, dated February28, 1905.

Application filed January 21, 190 Serial No. 189,991.

1'?) (1M whom, it natty concern:

Be it known that l, CHARLES H. ANDERSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented a new and useful lnn irova ment in Conveyors, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in portable conveyors for usemore especially in transferring merchandise on wharves or in warehousesor for moving cargoes during the operation of loading or unloading thesame.

My object is to provide a conveyor adapted for the above purpose and oia generally-inn proved construction, whereby it may be readilytransported to different locations or shifted about as required bychanges in receivingpoints or points of delivery and which will causeits conveyor-belt to extend ina plane close to the floor on which theconveyor rests.

[t is also my object to provide the conveyer in sections which may bereadily attached to and detached from each other and caused to extend atdifferent angles with relation to each other-as the points of loadingand delivery and the intervening stretch may require.

it is, further, my object to adapt the sections for carrying variouskinds of merchandise, whether in bulk, barrels, boxes, bales, or thelike, in the most desi 'able and convenient manner, and, furthermore, toprovide improved means for running the movable c0nveyer-belts on thesections.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a broken plan view showing anintermediate conveyor-section joined at opposite ends to other sections,one of which is connected to an electric convcyerbelt driving motor;Figs. 2 and 3, broken plan sectional and elevational views,respectively, Fig. 2 being taken on line F in Fig. 3, of a modified formof mechanism for operating adjustable guide-rails which prevent packageswhile moving upon the conveyer from falling 011'; Fig. 4, an enlargedpartly-brokcn side elevation of adjacent eonveyer sections, illustratingmy improved means for connecting them together; Fig. 5, a similar viewof the same, illustrating the manner of adjusting the sections todifferent angles with relation to each other; Fig. 6, a perspective Viewof details of the connecting means for the sections, some oi the partsbeing broken away; Fig. 7, an elevation of the reverse side, on asmaller scale, of one of the connecting-links for the sections; Fig. 8,a broken and enlarged plan section through the end portions of adjacentconteycnsections, illustrating the driving'motor connections. theconnections between the sections and belttightening mechanism, the viewbeing taken on line A in Fig. 9; Fig. 9, a section taken on line B inFig. 8 viewed in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 10, a broken sectionalplan view of one of the conveyer-scctions, illustrating the constructionand manner of mounting the adjustable carrier-rollers, the section beingtaken on line (it in Fig. 13; Fig. li, a broken detailed plan viewillustrating means For raising and lowering the inner ends of thecarrier-rollers: Fig. 12, a partly-sectional side elevation of the samemechanism; Fig. iii, an enlarged section taken on lineU in Fig. [0 andshowing the carrier-rollers in raised position; Fig. 1+L, a similar viewshowing the carrierrollers depressed; Fig. [5, an enlarged per spectiveview of a relatively stationaryguideblock, oi which there is one foreach pair oi adjustable rollers; Fig. it, a similar view of a raisingand lowerii'lg block forming the sup port for the inner ends ofemnpanion carrierrollers and adjustable upon the block shown in Fig..15; Fig. 17, a broken perspective view showing the reverse side of theblock illus trated in Fig. 16 and the means for raising and lowering thesame; Fig. 18, an enlarged broken side elevation of a part of one of theconveyor-sections, showing the preferred -means for adjusting theguide-rails; Fig. 19,

a section taken on line 1') in Fig. 19, and ll ig. 2.0 a broken plansection taken on line E in Fig. 19.

The frame of each conveyor-section consists of longitudinally-oxtendingcharmehbmnns (r, forming the sides and joined togotlnir at intervals bycross'braces I). At the under side of each section are cross-extendingplates or bars 0, removably fastened at their ends to lugs or clips (I,as indicated at one side of Fig. 14. The parts 0 support longitudinally-OXtend-ing boards or strips for the under stretch of the canvas or otherflexible conveyer-belt f to slide upon. The channelbeams of each sectionare cut away at one end, as shown at g in Fig. 6, and present each abearing-opening it and bolt-receiving perforations i). The opposite endsof the channelbeams are squared, as shown at 71', and in the said endportions of the channel-beams are mounted sliding belt-tensioning platesl, presenting bearing-openings m and bolt-receiving perforations a. Thesections are detachably connected together by means of links 1), eachformed, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, with a shaft-receiving openingg,extending through short cylindrical bosses 0- son opposite sides, andsegmental recesses z a in the locations shown. On the ends of the linksare laterallyextending segmental bosses v, presenting segmentalbearing-openings, and fitting against the said ends are segmentalfiller-blocks w. The blocks to are removably secured against the ends ofthe links by rings a which lit upon the annular shoulder presented bythe parts when fitted together. Atopposite ends of each section arebelt-driving pulleys g .2, comprising drums having hubs provided withbushedbearing-openings. Extendingthrough each pulley 2' is a shaft 21,screw-fastened near opposite ends to spacers 22, bolted to theopeningsnofthetensioning-platesl. Beyond the tensioning-plates the shaft21 is pivotally connected to the free end portions of the links 1), theparts being detachably joined by the rings or collars Nuts and washerson the ends of the shaft hold the parts in place. Each pulley g is upona shaft 23, fastened at opposite ends in the openings of the links p.The bosses '2 of the links extend into the openings 71 of thechannel-beams, forming there a pivotal connection, and bolts 24 passthrough the perforations 2' j of the channelbeams and through thesegmental openings 23 a of the links, whereby the latter may be fastenedin adjusted position. Keyed to the hubs of the pulleys y 2' aresprocket-wheels 25 26, respectively, which in practice are beltedtogether by a drive-chain 27. The object of the link connections betweenconveyer-sections is to permit them to be adjusted to different angleswith relation to each other, as shown by full lines in Figs. 4 and 5 andby dotted lines in the latter figure.

28 is a belt-tightening shaft squared at opposite ends to receive acrank or the like. This shaft carries beveled gears 29, meshing withsimilar gears 30 on screws 31, working through threaded cars 32 on thebelt-tighten- Fastened to the webs of the built-up I-beams shown mostplainly in Fig. 15, presenting each a flanged guide 34 centrally betweenthe channel-beams.

35 is a vertically-sliding block having a grooved face 36 to fit overthe part 34 and having perforated bearing-ears 37 at opposite sides. Atthe under sides of the ears are recesses 38, and on the side of theblock 35 (shown in Fig. 17) is a perforated boss 39, in which is a shaft40, carrying antifriction-rollers 41. Pivotally mounted between the ears37 on pins 42 are swinging links or socketpieces 43, in which arefastened tubes or shafts 44, passing at their opposite end portionsthrough trunnioned sleeves 45. The trunnions of the sleeves arejournaled in bearing-brackets 46, riveted to the channel-beams.Journaled upon the shafts 44 and confined be tween the parts 43 45 arecarrier-rollers 47. The hubs of the rollers 47 at their outer ends areoverlapped by the sleeves 45 to present dust-proof joints.

The'web of each cross-brace b is cut away at the center toward the lowerside to present the opening 48. Extending through the openings 48 is asliding frame consisting of a pair of parallel angle-bars 49, restingupon the lower flanges of the cross braces b and tied to gether atintervals by cross-pieces 50. Fastened to the angle-bars 49 are wedges51, shaped, preferably, as shown in Fig. 12. A pair of wedges 51 bearsagainst the under sides of the antifriction-rollers 41 of eachvertically-sliding block 35, and they move in the recesses 38 of thesaid blocks. On the frame formed by the longitudinally-rnovableanglebars 49 is a rack 52, meshing with a pinion 53 on a shaft 54,journaled in the channel-bars a. The outer ends of the shaft 54 aresquared to receive a crank or the like. By turning the shaft 54 in onedirection the frame 49 is moved longitudinally to cause the wedges 51 toslide beneath the rollers 41 and raise the blocks 35 and inner ends ofthe rollers 47 to the position shown in Fig. 13. Contrary turn ing ofthe shaft 54 permits the blocks 35 and innerends of the rollers 47 todescend to the position shown in Fig. 14. Thus all the rollers 47 on aconveyer-section are adjusted simultaneously.

At intervals along the inner sides of the channel beams are verticallyperforated blocks 55, in which are journaled pins 56, passing upwardthrough openings in the channel-beam flanges. The pins 56 havetransverse openings 57 at angles to each other, as indicated by dottedlines in Fig. 20. EX- tendingthrough the channel-beams and blocks areopenings 58 to receive pins 59. Rigidly fastened to the upper ends ofthe pins 56 are crank-arms 60, provided at their outer ends withvertical openings'to receive the lower ends of pins 61, havingperforations 62 at angles to each other to correspond with the simi- 5or braces 7) are guide-blocks 33, of the form I lar perforations 57 inthe pins 56.

IIO

' ends to a yoke 80.

"mart/i 63 represents strips or guide-rails extending approximately thefull length of the conveyer-section. On these guide-rails are boxes 64E.having series of openings 65, which openings also extend through therails. The rails are adjustable toward and away from the channel-beamsand maybe fastened in adjusted position by passing pins 66 through theopenings 62 65 when in register and by passing the pins 59 through theopenings 57 58 when in register. By withdrawing the pins 66 59 the rails63 may be swung laterally and fastened again in adjusted position to'ireventpackages while being conveyed by the belt f from falling off.

in Figs. 9. and 3 is shown a modified form of adjusting mechanism forthe guide-rails 63. In this construction each pin 56 is provided at itslower end with a pinion 67, meshing with a rack 68 on a rack-bar 69. Alongitudinally-sliding rack-bar 69 is provided at each channelbeam andcarries a rack 7 O, meshing with a pinion 71 on a cross-shaft 7 2.passing through the channel-beams and squared at its outer ends toreceive a crank. By turning the shaft 72 both guide-rails on a sectionmay be adjusted simultaneously.

73 is an electric motor mounted upon a truck having wheels 74, wherebyit may readily be moved from place to place. The motor has anarmature-shaft 75, provided with a pinion 76, and also a shaft 77 at itsunder side, carrying a gear-wheel 78, meshing with the pinion 76.Extending from the truck or wheeled frame on which the motor is mountedare parallel arms 79, pivotally secured at their free On one of theconveyersections shown is a cross-shaft 81, carrying a pinion 82,meshing with a gear-wheel 83 on the shaft 23 of the adjacent pulley 1The shaft 81 extends through a box 84 on the adjacent channel-beam, thesaid box having a reduced outer end portion forming a bearing for thehub of the yoke 80. The shafts 77 81 are removabl y connected togetherby means of a universal joint 85. This universal joint is of commonconstruction, and one of the connecting-pinsfor example, the pins shownby plan view in Fig. 8----may be readily removed to permit separation ofthe members of the joint.

ln practice as many eonveyer-sections may be employedv as desired. Oneor a few only of the sections employed need be provided with thedrive-shafts 81 for connection with a motor 73. The sections are allconnected together by means of the links 7). as described, to extendfrom the receiving-point to the point of delivery. 111 the event thatthe merchandise-paclmges are barrels or the like, all thecarrier-rollers &7 may be lowered by the wedge devices described to theposition shown in Fig. 14, whereby the conveyor-rollers will cause theconveyer-belt to present a concave conveyerface along the upper stretchbetween the end pulleys. If fiat-sided boxes or the like are to beconveyed the rollers L7 may be raised to the position shown in Fig. 13to cause the belt to present a straight conveyorsurface. The guide-rails63 may be adjusted as described, to permit packages of the size thenbeing conveyed to pass readily between them and be guided to restattheir centers approxi mately centrally of the belt. in the event thatcoal or the like loose material is to be conveyed the discharge ends ofthe sections may be raised above the ends of the adjacent sections, asindicated by dotted lines in Fig. 5, and extend in the desired planes,whereby the material will pass from one to the other without fallingbetween the section ends.

The construction employing, as it does, the channel-beams a andcross-braces or built-up iii-beams 1) produces a particularly strongconvcyer-section, the conveyor-belt of which at its upper or conveyingstretch may be within a few inches of the floor. This isa particularlydesirable feature, because for one reason it permits heavy packages tobe readily placed thereon. I-beam-shaped cross-braces b are somewhatlonger than the web portions of the beams, and at opposite end portionsthey are cut away from the web portions and bent downward to [it againstthe lower flanges of the beams a, as shown in Figs. 13 and i l. Thelinlejoints 7) permit sections to extend along different elevations andalso at different angles with relation to each other, so thatmerchandise may be raised or lowered from one place to another.

One motor 73 may be caused to run the conveyor-belts of any desirednumber of sections, the belts of other sections than those provided withmotors being run from the carrier-belts of the motor-sections. Where alarge number of sections are connected together, may be desirable to.employ several motors 7 3, depending upon the work that has to be doneby them in moving the belts loaded with the merchandise to be conveyed.The pivotal joints between the arms 7 9 of the mo tors and the yokes 80and the universal joint 65 between the motor and carrier-section shaftspermit the motor and carrier-sections to be at different elevations andangles with relation to each other, as may be rendered necessary by thesurroundings.

My improved conveyer is particularly well adapted for use in largewarehouses and upon wharves where boats receive and discharge cargoes.The sections may be readily moved from place to place and caused toextend in anyway made necessary by the particular requirements. Theelectric motors to the num ber desired may readily be placed in positionand connected with wires to a stationary generator. thus doing away withany necessity for line-shz'rfts and other cuniliersome means foroperating the conwyers.

The lower flanges b of the lVhile I prefer to provide my improvementsthroughout as shown and described, they may be variously modified in thematter of details of construction without departing from the spirit ofmy invention as defined by the claims.

hat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a conveyer, a conveyer-section, beltpulleys on said section, adrive-sl1aft for one said pulley, and operating means thereforcomprising a separately-portable electric motor having a shaft and meansfor readily connecting together and disconnecting said shafts,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a conveyer, a conveyor-section, beltpulleys on said section, adrive-shaft for one said pulley, and operating means therefor comprisinga separately-portable electric motor, and a readily-detachableuniversal-joint connection between said motor and shaft, substantiallyas and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a conveyer, a conveyer-section, beltpulleys on said section, adrive-shaft for one said pulley,and operating means therefor, comprisinga separately-portable electric motor having a frame and ashaft,readily-separable pivotal connecting means between said conveyer-sectionand motor-frame and a readilydetachable universal-joint connectionbetween said motor-shaft and said driving-shaft, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth.

4. In a conveyer, the combination of conveyer-sections placed end toend, conveyerbelts upon the sections, means for drivingsaid belts, and aconnection between the sections comprising a rock-shaft journaled in theend of one section, links secured at one end to said shaft, means forlocking the shaft in different positions against rocking, and a shaft onthe other said section with which the links are pivotally connected.

5. In a conveyer, the combination of conveyer-sections placed end toend, link connections between the adjacent section ends, p-ulleys atopposite ends of the sections, the pulleys at adjacent section endsbeing operatively geared together, a drive-shaft for one said pulley,and operating means therefor comprising a portable electric motor havinga shaft removably connected with the said drive-shaft.

6. In a conveyer, the combination of conveyer-sections placed end toend, link connections between the adjacent section ends, pulleys atopposite ends of the sections, the pulleys at adjacent section endsbeing operativcly geared together, a drive-shaft for one said pulley andoperating means therefor, comprising a portable electric motor having ashaft, and a universal-joint connection between the said motor-shaft anddrive-shaft.

7. In a conveyer, the combination of conveyer-sections placed end toend, link connections between the adjacent section ends, a

drive-shaft forone said pulley, a portable electric motor having a shaftremovably connected by a universal joint with the said driveshaft, armsupon the motor, a yoke with which the said arms are pivotally connected,and a bearing upon the conveyer-section with which the yoke is pivotallysecured.

8. In a conveyer, the combination with a conveyer-section, a pair ofcompanion belttightening plates, guides in one end portion of saidsection in which said plates are mounted to slide longitudinally, meanson the section for sliding said plates in their guides, a conveyer-beltpulley journaled in said plates, a conveyer-belt pulley journaled in theopposite end portion of said section, a conveyerbelt stretched aroundsaid pulleys, a second conveyer-section having belt-pulleys for aconveyer-belt journaled in its opposite ends, and a link connectionbetween said companion belttightening plates and one end portion of saidsecond conveyer-section, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In a conveyor-section, the combination with the frame thereof, ofconveyer-rollers pivotally mounted at their outer ends in the saidframe, adjustable bearings for the inner ends of said rollers at thecenter of said frame, and means for raising and lowering the saidadjustable bearings, comprising a longitudinally-sliding bar havingwedges, upon which said bearings rest, and sliding means for said bar,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In a conveyor-section, the combination with the frame thereof,formed with parallel sides, of stationary guide-blocks between the saidsides, raising and lowering supports on the said guide-blocks, rollerspivotally connected at their inner ends to the said supports and attheir outer ends to the said sides, and means for raising and loweringthe said supports.

11. In a conveyer-section, a frame comprising longitudinally-extendingparallel side bars and cross-braces, guide-blocks secured to the saidcross-braces, raising and lowering blocks on the guide-blocks, rollersjournaled at their outer ends in the said sides and at their inner endson the said raising and lowering blocks, substantially as described.

12. In a conveyer-section, the combination with end pulleys and aconveyer-belt stretched thereon, of a series of intermediate rollersmounted at their outer ends in stationary bearings and at their innerends in raising and lowering bearings, and means upon the section foradjusting all the said raising and lowering bearings simultaneously,comprising a longitudinally-sliding frame formed with parallel barscarrying wedges upon which said raising and lowering bearings rest, andmeans for sliding said frame.

13. In a conveyer-section, a frame having longitudinally-extendingparallel sides, crank- :mns jonlnaled upon the said sides, and guideofthe said crank-arms, and meansifol' locking rails upon the saldcrank-anus, substantlally the crank-arms in adjusted position.

we described. V e V.

. v 4 H. [n a conveyer-sectlon, a trame havmg (HARLES ANDRE ON 5"parallel, longitndinally-extendlng sldes, ad- In presence 0fjneteblecrank-arms gournaled upon the smd WALTER N. VVINBERG,

sides, guide'rails connected with the free ends F. M. VVIRTZ.

